BYU’s run in the NCAA Tournament ends with 52-46 loss to Arizona

Both BYU and Arizona had a lot to prove, but only one team could advance to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Women’s Tournament — and it was the Wildcats.

The 11th-seeded Cougars took third-seeded Arizona down to the wire, but were unable to close out the game, dropping the Round of 32 matchup, 52-46.

Here are a few quick thoughts on the game:

1. After a big game on Monday, Paisley Harding was quiet against Arizona: The senior took a hard fall, hitting her head on the floor, early in the game, which may have been part of the reason. Harding played just 22 minutes and scored two points.

2. Shaylee Gonzales and Tegan Graham stepped up in Harding’s absence: Gonzales scored a game-high 16 points and Graham was the only other Cougar to score in double-digits, adding 13 points. Graham also made three key 3-pointers to help her team.

3. Arizona’s defense stepped up when it needed to: After a tight game throughout, the Wildcats stepped up their defense in the final minutes and two-time All-American Aari McDonald sealed the deal with a steal and breakaway layup.

This story will be updated.

Arizona guards Sam Thomas, right, and Trinity Baptiste (0) go up for a rebound against BYU forward Lauren Gustin (12) during the first half of a college basketball game in the second round of the NCAA women's tournament at the UTSA Convocation Center in San Antonio, Wednesday, March 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Thomas) (Michael Thomas/)

from The Salt Lake Tribune https://ift.tt/3cjJOpF